Exploring correlations between Non-Destructive and Destructive tests for the mechanical characterization of existing timber structures

The paper focuses on the mechanical characterization and assessment of the state of preservation of existing timber structures. Non-destructive tests (NDT) have great potential in estimating the mechanical properties of wood through in-situ investigations, offering an alternative to destructive laboratory tests. However, their effectiveness depends on the presence of reliable correlations between the NDT parameters and the physical and mechanical properties of wood estimated through destructive test (DT). In this study, a statistical analysis of data obtained from NDT and DT on a sample of ancient timber members in structural dimension from South Italy is presented and the corresponding correlations are showed. The paper includes a brief description of the sample, a focus on the statistical methodology and the results. It also offers a critical analysis of the correlation laws, highlighting those most reliable for in situ investigation.